Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic Snubbed as MVP Favorites After NBA Veteran Reveals His Ultimate Choice

Kendrick Perkins has made his choice loud and clear. Yet again, he’s caused a stir by declaring his pick for MVP. Spoiler: It’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which, why not? You don’t just lead a young team to the No. 1 seed and go unacknowledged. By most estimates, the OKC guard has surpassed Jalen Brunson and is neck and neck with Luka Doncic in second spot. Both, however, have a tough mountain to climb in the form of Nikola Jokic. Does that matter to Perk? Not even in the least.

He posted on X, opening with a snub to the top three contenders. “[Nikola] Jokic, Luka [Doncic], and {Jalen] Brunson are all deserving of the MVP… but Shai leading the second youngest team to the best record in an absolutely STACKED Western Conference while putting up numbers like MJ and Steph did during their MVP seasons is the reason HE is the MVP of the league!!! It’s also the reasons why @shaiglalex got my vote for MVP!!! Carry the hell on…”

A few weeks ago, the ESPN analyst picked Jayson Tatum for MVP. Before that, it was Luka Doncic. But SGA has surpassed both and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time and is reportedly just behind Jokic. To name his pick so close to finding out the MVP is giving Shai an edge.

As he said, with one of the youngest squads in the league with an average age of 23.4 and a team that’s only been officially existing since 2008, the 25-year-old has surpassed all expectations. In late 2023, SGA recorded his 10th straight game with 25+ points and 2+ steals, a feat only Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson have accomplished in the past. Steph Curry named him as the future face of the NBA too.

Averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals currently, SGA is giving a lot of reason for Perkins to change his opinion. The young guard also hopes to win, but he also stated that Nikola Jokic has a stronger case.

Kendrick Perkins’ case is the weakest

Kendrick Perkins invited outrage last year with his comments on The Joker’s MVP standing. He’s defended and clarified his statements several times since then but it’s left such a bad taste, it’s coming up again. Fans under his recent post mention it almost not taking any of his opinions on the MVP debate seriously because of it. In most comments he’d back anyone but Jokic.

In contrast, he’s had a very flattering take on Doncic and the Mavs. At one point it got a bit graphic too. Recently, he even said Luka is more “dangerous” than LeBron James.

However, very few accept his opinions on the MVP race anymore. For the one person who agreed with Perk, he replied, “Feel sorry for your loss.” SGA doesn’t subscribe to that notion. He told the media that Jokic has a case and is “deserving for sure.” But a little part of him also hopes he could win. As much as fans think SGA’s chances are good, it doesn’t depend on Perkins.